Jauhn Etienne Villaruel

Article (news)

Rowegie Abanto

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/178417353953020260716040716_2030fb7474fc53d5697e63b51cdf7f0d8471e17ffa049b85e32f8f7129c45b60 (2).jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">The Senate impeachment court on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, examines the testimony of National Bureau of Investigation-BARMM Regional Director Jeremy Lontoc as defense lawyers and senator-judges probe the legal and factual interpretation of “grave threats” and “inciting to sedition” under Article IV of the Articles of Impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte.<em> Wendell D. Alinea, Senate Social Media Unit</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — House lead prosecutor Gerville Luistro is hoping that the Senate impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte will end before Christmas.</p><p>The impeachment proceedings, which officially began on July 6, are predicted to run for up to 8 months to accommodate some 92 trial days.</p><p>&quot;Ako, I am personally aiming before Christmas para masaya ang Pasko natin lahat,&quot; Luistro said at a press conference Wednesday following the sixth day of the trial.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/16/senators-to-weigh-accountability-vs-privacy-right-in-sara-duterte-bank-records-plea-ex-ibp-chief-1000">Senators to weigh accountability vs privacy right in Sara Duterte bank records plea — ex-IBP chief</a></div><p>Luistro was asked about when the proceedings could end following the prosecution&#x27;s decision to drop witnesses under the fourth article of impeachment, which accuses Duterte of issuing grave threats.</p><p>The prosecution is reviewing its witness list for the three remaining articles, she said, noting that developments in the impeachment trial may require them to add or withdraw witnesses.</p><p>She said they are reevaluating the list of their witnesses for the three succeeding articles of impeachment.</p><p>Michael Poa, one of counsels for Duterte, previously said that they do not want to subject the vice president &quot;to such a prolonged proceeding.&quot;</p><p>&quot;[A]s lawyers, siyempre gusto na rin namin, as much as possible, na matapos sa lalong madaling panahon itong impeachment trial,&quot; he said.</p><p>The prosecution <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/14/prosecution-to-no-longer-present-lopez-bello-in-impeachment-trial-2023">dropped Duterte chief of staff Zuleika Lopez and House security chief Belinda Bello</a> as witnesses under Article IV after assessing the testimonies of National Bureau of Investigation senior agent John Mark Calilung and lawyer Jeremy Lotoc, said Luistro.</p><p>The prosecution panel can only determine whether additional witnesses are still necessary after hearing the complete testimonies of those who had taken the witness stand, she said.</p><p>Luistro said the prosecution had reserved the right under its pre-trial brief to withdraw witnesses or present additional ones when needed.</p><p>NBI director Melvin Matibag is set to take the witness stand on Tuesday as the prosecution&#x27;s final witness under Article IV.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/10/defense-says-no-effort-to-delay-duterte-trial-1143">Defense says no effort to &#x27;delay&#x27; Sara Duterte trial</a></div><p>Impeachment prosecutors allege that Duterte misused her confidential funds, issued grave threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., amassed unexplained wealth, and bribed government officials.</p><p>Duterte said the allegations are politically motivated and have no basis.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8O39ZzFjDm8?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/lec5Z3l0DfA?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><br/></div>

<p>House lead prosecutor Gerville Luistro is hoping that the Senate impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte will end before Christmas.</p>

House lead prosecutor Gerville Luistro is hoping that the Senate impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte will end before Christmas.

'Para masaya ang Pasko': Luistro hopes Sara Duterte trial ends before Christmas

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'Para masaya ang Pasko': Luistro hopes Sara Duterte trial ends before Christmas

Rowegie Abanto,

ABS-CBN News

Published July 16, 2026 11:48 AM PHT

Read More:

Gerville Luistro

Sara Duterte

Impeachment Trial

Senate Trial

Sara Duterte Trial

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